SUPERSONY THE SONY DIGITAL 8 DCR-TRV460 HAS A USB INTERFACE , WONT LET ME TRANSFER VIDEO TAPE TO PC ? DO I NEED TO DOWNLOAD SOME KIND OF SOFTWARE ?

The USB streaming driver for the Camcorder is not available for Windows Vista OS from Sony at this point. Hence it is not possible to transfer videos using USB interface. You may use i.LINK or A/V interface to transfer videos from the Camcorder to the Computer which is running on Windows Vista Operating System.

Please follow the steps to transfer video to a computer using an i.LINK connection (IEEE 1394).

IMPORTANT: Video capture software and a compatible video capture card must be installed on the computer. Depending on the computer manufacturer, various video capture cards and software (Adobe Premiere, Roxio Video Wave, Microsoft Windows Movie Maker, etc.) may be available or already installed on your computer. If necessary, contact the manufacturer of your computer for further information.

NOTE: Many Sony VAIO computers are bundled with Sony DVgate Motion or DVgate Plus software for video capturing. Some VAIO computers also include Click To DVD software that will allow video capture to the computer hard drive or directly to a DVD.

1. Connect an i.LINK cable (also known as IEEE 1394) to the i.LINK port on the digital camcorder.

i.LINK Cable.

i.LINK port.

1. Connect the other end of the i.LINK cable to the computer.

NOTE: The computer i.LINK ports and capture cards may have either 4-pin or 6-pin connections. Sony digital camcorders use i.LINK ports with 4 pins. If your computer only has a 6-pin i.LINK port, then it will be necessary to use a 4-pin to 6-pin i.LINK cable.

1. Turn on the digital camcorder by moving the POWER switch to the VTR position.
2. Cue the camcorder tape to the beginning of the video footage.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Start the video capture software on the computer.
5. Begin playing the recorded video in the camcorder.
6. Begin importing the video with the capture software.

It should now be possible to copy the video using the video capture software if the computer hardware and software are configured correctly.

Manual - http://www.sony.co.uk/product/sdh-digital-8/dcr-trv265e#pageType=manual
Driver and instructions - http://esupport.sony.com/perl/swu-download.pl?template=EN&upd_id=1452&PASSVAL2=SMB
Free video editing software - http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html

Sony have a page offering information and support, including downloads (Picture Motion Browser) for this camera at THIS LINK

This type of camera transfers video to computer with a Firewire (Sony call this i.Link) connection. Some mini-DV and D8 cameras have a USB connection which is used for stills ONLY. There is a tutorial for downloading videos to computer linked from the above site.

This type of camera usually downloads better with a Firewire (DV) connection. Some mini-DV cameras only use the USB connection (if they have one) for stills and can only download video by Firewire. This is because you have to play the tape into the computer, not just copy a file. The way it works on my computer, the camera is controlled by the computer software.

Most PCs have a USB port, but no Firewire port. Macs often have a Firewire port but may not have USB. As most Windows PCs do not come with this interface, you might need to fit an add-on Firewire interface card. This will come with a driver for the card. If you have a MAC, you may already have a port.

Suitable Firewire (DV) cables can easily be found on Amazon or eBay. You will need the kind with a small (four pin) connector at one end and a larger (six pin) connector at the other. My camera came with the correct lead.

Follow this procedure to troubleshoot if a blue screen is displayed when attempting to playback video from the camcorder.

1. Stop the tape.
2. Ensure the tape has been rewound to the beginning of the video recording.
3. Play the tape.
4. If the issue is not resolved, stop the tape and remove it from the camcorder.
5. Clean the video heads of the camcorder using a dry head cleaning cassette.IMPORTANT: Follow the instructions for use provided with the head cleaning cassette. It may be necessary to use the head cleaning cassette more than once per session.
   
6. Reinsert the tape into the camcorder.
7. Play the tape.
8. If the issue is not resolved, stop the tape and remove it from the camcorder.
9. Insert a different tape with video footage into the camcorder.
10. Ensure the tape has been rewound to the beginning of the video recording.
11. Play the tape.

NOTES:

• If a blue screen is still displayed, then the camcorder may require service .
• If the tape plays back correctly, then the first tape may be faulty or there is a problem with the video recording.

Download driver update for Sony DCR-TRV460 camera from Sony Support.
You need to select proper operation system and get updates.

Camera has dirty / clogged video head.
Use good quality video head cleaning cassette.

If you connect your Sony DCR-TRV460 by USB port, computer should recognize it. If PC doesn't recognize it, go to camera menu and enable USB Streaming option.

You need to install Picture Package software CD came with camera. Connect camera with PC in USB port, Win XP will recognize it and install required drivers automaticaly.

USB